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THE BATTLE 



OF 



LUNDY'S LANE 



•BY- 



Ernest Cruikshank. 



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■;THB- 



BATTLE OF LOIN'S LANE 



1814. 



JLIN" -A-IDIDIREJSS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



LUNDY'S LANE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



OCTOBER 16 th , 188S, 



ERNEST CRUIKSHANK. 



WELLAND: 
Wm. T. Sawlh, Pbintsr, Tiligbaph Ofjfioe. 






PREFATORY NOTE, 



The present monograph was prepared for the Lundy's Lane 
Historical Society, and is now offered to the public with the sole object 
of promoting the aims of the Society. The author's acknowledge- 
ments are due to Douglas Brymner, Esq., Archivist of Canada, 1). S. 
Durrie, Esq., State Librarian of Wisconsin, the late Dr. Homes, State 
Librarian of New York, Dr. John Ferguson, M. P., and many others, 
for their kindness in facilitating research. 

Fort Erie, October 25th, [888. 






V 






PREFATORY NOTE. 



The present monograph was prepared fur the Lundy's Lane 
Historical Society, and is now offered to the public with the sole object 
of promoting the aims of the Society. The author's acknowledge- 
ments are due to Douglas Brymner, Esq., Archivist of Canada, 1). S. 
Durrie, Esq., State Librarian of Wisconsin, the late Dr. Homes, State 
Librarian of New York, Dr. John Ferguson, M. P., and many others, 
for their kindness in facilitating research. 

Kurt Erie, October 251b. 1888. 










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THE BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE. 



§ VENTURE to think that it is not inappropriate that one of the 
first of, as I hope, a long series of papers to be read before 
your Society should be devoted to the study of the battle 
whence it derives its name. Apart from the special local 
interest which most of you must feel, it is but natural that all British- 
Americans should regard the engagement which took place on this 
spot some seventy-four years ago with feelings of more than ordinary 
pride and satisfaction. Not only did it form the crisis of the last and 
most formidable attempt at invasion in the course of three years of 
warfare, but a very large proportion of the officers and men engaged 
in the action, on the British side, although serving in regiments of the 
line, were natives of the provinces, now forming part of the Dominion 
of Canada, and their commander, Sir Gordon Drummond, was him- 
self a Canadian by birth. 

Let me say a word, in the first place, as to the sources whence I 
have been enabled to draw the material tor this narrative. These 
may be divided broadly into three classes : — (i) Books and pamphlets ; 
(2) the newspapers of the period and later dates; (3) unpublished 
correspondence. 

Probably in no country in the world is so much attention bestowed 
upon national and local history as in the United States, and I regret 
to be obliged to add, and, in none, so little as in Canada. Conse- 
quently, although the mass of printed matter dealing with this period 
from an American point of view, is very great, the number of volumes 
in which the other side of the question is presented, is proportionately 
extremely limited. I have in my hand a list of 342 books and pam- 
phlets, historical, biographical, and controversial, dealing directly or 
indirectly with the subject of the war of 181 2, and more than four- 
fifths of these were published in the United States. These of course 
vary in size, from a bulky volume to a pamphlet of a few pages, and 
vary quite as much in historical value. 

In the first instance, the published official letters of the rival 
commanders formed the basis of the narrative on either side, and in 
many works are simply paraphrased without the slightest criticism or 
examination with reference to the statements of their adversaries. 
The main object of the writer is to gratify national vanity and 
prejudices, and the truth is frequently concealed or remains half-tuld 
n the endeavor. 



4 

Among British writers, the volumes of William James, entitled, 
" A narrative of the military occurrences of the late war," and " A 
narrative of the naval occurrences of the late war," published in 1817, 
must he still regarded as the chief authority, and little has been done 
in the way of supplementing his statements by more recent British 
authors. James had lived in the United States for several years 
before the war, and had become imbued with an intense antipathy 
towards the inhabitants of that country, their manners and customs, 
which, unfortunately, colors every page of his writings. He appears 
to have resided at Halifax during the period of hostilities, and his 
narrative is evidently based upon the published official corres- 
pondence and information gleaned from newspapers oi the day, or 
gathered from the lips of some of the officers who had paiticipated in 
the campaigns which he describes. Notwithstanding his partisan 
feeling, few of his statements have been successfully controverted. 
Major Richardson deals only with operations on the Detroit frontier, 
prior to the battle of the Thames ; Auchinleck's volume contains 
scarcely anything that was not already recorded by James or 
Richardson or in the published official despatches ; Colonel Coffin's 
"Chronicle" was never finished, and the general histories of Canada, as 
a rule, give but a scanty and vague outline of the principal events of this 
period. Some information has been gleaned from the " Historical 
record of the Royal Scots," the " Historical record of the 8th Foot," 
Browne's " England's Artillerymen," Duncan's " History of the 
Royal Artillery," and Hon. W. H. Merritt's "Journal." The 
American histories of Armstrong, Brackenridge, Davis, Gilleland, 
Hunt, Ingersoll, Low, Perkins, Russell, J. L. Thomson, and two 
anonymous publications, Mansfield's Life of General W. S. Scott, 
Scott's Autobiography, Stone's and Hubbard's Lives of Red Jacket, 
the rare pamphlets of Ripley, Treat, and White, besides numerous 
articles in magazines and reviews, have been consulted. 

Newspapers of that date were not the repositories of current 
information that they have since become, and the data to be gleaned 
from them is comparatively scanty, although sometimes of cardinal 
value. Weekly newspapers had been published before the war at 
Newark, Kingston, and York, but all of them seem to have perished 
during the contest. A file of the York Gazette for the year 181 2 is 
preserved in the Archives Library at Ottawa, but it contains little 
information. However, files of the Montreal Herald, Quebec Gazette, 
Buffalo Gazette, Albany Argus, Gazette, and Register, Baltimore Patriot, 
Boston Centinel, JViles' Register and Poulson's American have been 
referred to, not without some profit. 

The chief and most authentic source of information respecting 
this period must ever be the official correspondence, which, however, 
has been inaccessible to persons engaged in historical inquiry until very 
recently, and consequently has remained almost unconsulted. In 
1873, tnc Canadian military correspondence, extending over a period 



of nearly a century, lay stored at Halifax, packed in casus for trans 
portation to England. Owing to the efforts of Mr. Douglas Brymner, 
this vast collection of documentary evidence of inestimable historical 
value in compiling the annals of this country was secured for the 
Canadian Archives and by the unflagging industry of that able public 
servant has since been classified, chronologically arranged, and bound 
in volumes. Some idea may be formed of the mere bulk of the 
correspondence thus acquired, when I mention that it weighed eight 
tons, comprising more than two hundred thousand documents of all 
forms, shapes, and sizes, and now composes 1,384 bulky volumes, 
upon the shelves of the Archives Library. Here is to be found, 
almost entire, the correspondence of General Riall, with Sir Gordon 
Drummond, and that of the latter with Sir George Prevost, during the 
progress of the campaign, besides numerous letters from subordinate 
officers, official returns, depositions of deserters, and the confidential 
communications of spies and secret agents. 

A still greater quantity of similar materials is understood to exist 
in the departmental offices at Washington, but up to the present 
remains inaccessible to the inquirer from the traditional secretive 
policy of the United States Government and the chaotic condition 
of the papers. The correspondence of Mr. D. D. Tompkins, at that 
time Governor of the State of New York, has recently been acquired 
by the State, and may be expected to throw some light upon the 
subject, but I regret to say I have not yet found an opportunity of 
examining it. 

To obtain a correct understanding of the position of the con- 
tending forces, it will be necessary to briefly review the progress of 
the campaign from the beginning. The month of December, 181 3, 
was marked by the retirement of the American troops from their lines 
at Fort George, which they had occupied since the preceding May, 
under circumstances which tended to cover their arms with disgrace. 
Under the pretext that it was necessary to deprive their adversaries of 
shelter upon that frontier, the remaining inhabitants of Niagara were 
driven from their homes and the entire village committed to the 
flames. With the same intention, Queenston was deliberately bom- 
barded with red-hot shot from the batteries at Lewiston. Many 
isolated farm houses were destroyed by marauding parties of soldiers, 
or, when they proved too substantial for instant demolition, were 
rendered uninhabitable by removal of the doors and windows. The 
few cattle still remaining in the possession of the country people were 
mercilessly slaughtered or driven away, and their grain and flour 
removed or destroyed. On the 10th of December, General McClure 
wrote exultingly from Fort Niagara to the American Secretary of War : 
" The village is now in flames and the enemy shut out of hope and 
means of wintering in Fort George." Almost before the ink was dry 
on this letter the flames of burning Niagara had become the signal 
for the rapid advance of a small British corps of observation, under 



Colonel John Murray, which already lay at Twelve Mile Creek. Putting 
his men in sleighs, the British commander hurried forward through 
a blinding snow storm, and fell upon the incendiaries before their 
work of destruction was completed. The village of Niagara had been 
already reduced to ashes, but the barracks and defences of Fort 
George were left comparatively uninjured, and the retreating garrison 
left the whole of their tents standing in the works they had so pre- 
cipitately abandoned. The recovery of the left bank of the Niagara 
by the British was followed by the surprise of Fort Niagara and the 
capture of the American batteries at Lewiston and Schlosser, and 
finally, by the occupation of Buffalo after a hard-fought action near 
Black Rock. Before the end of the month, the Americans were 
driven from every defensive position upon their own bank of the 
stream, severe and stern retaliation had been exacted for their ravages 
upon the Canadian settlements, nearly every habitable building 
between Buffalo and Eighteen Mile Creek on Lake Ontario being 
laid in ruins, and the terrified inhabitants had fled beyond the 
( ienesee These successes put the small British force employed in 
possession of an ample and sorely needed supply of provisions, am- 
munition, and military stores of various kinds, besides furnishing them 
with comfortable winter-quarters. Hitherto they had been unpro- 
provided with winter clothing of any description, and they were still 
without a field-train, artificers, engineers, or regularly organized com- 
missariat. During the preceding campaign, quantities of ammunition 
had been spoiled by being conveyed with the army in ordinary open 
farm wagons, for lack of regular tumbrils, i Drummond at once 
projected the reduction of Detroit and the destruction of the 
American Lake Erie squadron, then lying at Put-in-Bay. 2 He 
pushed his outposts forward to the forks of the Thames, and his 
scouts penetrated to the borders of Lake St. Clair, and even ventured 
to rross into Michigan, where they captured the arms of a company 
of militia. 3 The departure of the proposed expedition was 
delayed by the mildness of the weather, which kept the roads 
impassable until March. 4 By that time the garrison of Detroit 
had been heavily reinforced, several thousand militia collected at 
Put-in-Bay for the defence of the ships, and the energetic Governor 
ot New York had been enabled to gather a large force of State troops 
at Batavia. 

The British general was at the same time obliged to proceed to 
York to open the annual session of the Legislature of Upper Canada, 
for he united the functions of administrator of the civil government 
with those of commander of the forces, and during his absence, the 
Americans began to contemplate the recovery of Fort Niagara. With 
this view, three thousand regular troops were rapidly moved across 
the State of New York from Sackett's Harbor to the encampment at 

1. Drummond to Trevost, March 21 ; 2. Drummond to Prevoat, Jan. 21; 3. Drum- 
i lond t" Prevoat, Feb. 21 ; i. Drummond to Oapt. N. Freer, l''ei>. 10. 



Batavia.i It had been ascertained from deserters that great discon- 
tent existed in the battalion of the 8th or King's regiment, which 
garrisoned that post, and that the same cause which had prevented 
the advance of an expedition against Detroit had delayed the rein- 
forcement of the division guarding the Niagara by troops from Lower 
Canada. In fact, Drummond had been obliged to weaken it, by 
sending a detachment of the Newfoundland regiment and artillery to 
relieve Mackinac, and withdrawing the battalion of the 41st from York 
for the defence of Kingston. 2 The number of desertions from the 
garrison of Fort Niagara had become so great and the discontent of 
the men so pronounced, that the battalion was finally withdrawn and 
replaced by the 100th. Scarcely had this been accomplished than 
they too began to desert in such numbers that General Riall, who 
had been left in command of the division, was forced in sheer despair 
to recommend the abandonment of "that cursed fort," as he forcibly 
designated it. 3 At that time the British army was largely recruited 
from the pauper and criminal classes, and many foreigners were 
enlisted even into regiments of the line. Thus, five men deserting 
in a body from the Royal Scots at this time, were described as being 
all foreigners. Besides being imperfectly clothed and often harshly 
treated, they had received no pay for upwards of six months, and 
their discontent at the irksome and monotonous round of duty in 
Fort Niagara is not surprising. 

Drummond, however, resolutely refused his consent to the evacu- 
ation of a post so important, and, as fine weather returned, desertions 
diminished. He was unremitting in his preparations for the coming 
campaign. Through the worst of weather and execrable roads he 
hurried from York to Kingston, and from Kingston to Delaware, 
making inquiries into the resources of the country and the condition 
of the inhabitants.' 1 Ascertaining that the wheat crop near the frontier 
was likely to prove deficient, he promptly prohibited the distillation of 
grain, and issued orders for the formation of magazines in the vicinity 
of Long Point, a part of the country which had hitherto escaped the 
ravages of the invaders. 5 The region between Chippawa and Fort 
Erie had been so completely laid waste that it remained almost unin- 
habited. In addition to his troops, he had several thousand non- 
combatants to feed, and in the destitute condition of the country, this 
seemed an almost hopeless task. Most of the Western Indians that 
had survived General Proctor's defeat, as well as the whole of the Six 
Nations from the Grand River, three thousand persons in all, of 
whom two-thirds were helpless women and children, had sought 
refuge near the British cantonments at Burlington. Their depreda- 
tions so harassed and alarmed many of the inhabitants in the 
vicinity, that they abandoned their farms, and took shelter in the 

1. Leasing, Field Book of 1812, p. 762 ; 2. Drumrnond to Prevost, Feb. 8 ; 3. Riall to 
Drummond, March 15 4. Drummond to Prevost, March 5 ■ 5. Drummond to Prevost 
January 25. 



8 

soldiers' quarters. 1 The homeless fugitives from the Niagara were 
also dependent upon the over-taxed commissariat. Thus, while his 
aimed force numbered less than two thousand, between seven and 
eight thousand rations were issued daily. Already in the month of 
January it became evident that the supply of meat would soon be 
exhausted, and Drummond began to entertain serious apprehensions 
that he would be compelled to abandon all that part of the Province 
lying west of Kingston from sheer want of food. His efforts to 
induce the Western Indians to remove to Lower Canada were unsuc- 
cessful, as well as his endeavors to persuade the Six Nations to return 
to their deserted farms on the Grand River. The inefficiency of the 
militia from want of discipline and defective equipment, as well as 
lack of competent officers having become manifest, he directed the 
enlistment of a battalion of four hundred men from among them, to 
serve during the war, with the intention of permitting the remainder 
to bestow their undivided attention upon their ordinary pursuits, 
except in the event of a levy en masse to repel actual invasion. 
Captain William Robinson, of the 8th, was appointed lieutenant- 
colonel, and Captain James Kerby, of the Lincoln Militia, major of 
this corps ; the ranks were rapidly filled up with stalwart young recruits, 
and it was armed and exercised as a battalion of light infantry, under 
the title of the Incorporated Militia. Several captured field-guns and 
tumbrils were fitted for active service, and supplies of grain and flour 
were diligently collected in various parts of the country for the 
support of the forces in the field. 2 

It seemed evident that a fresh attempt at invasion would not 
long be delayed. American newspapers clamoured for the speedy 
recovery of Fort Niagara. Late in January, Black Rock was re-occupied 
by their troops, and they began to annoy the British post at Fort 
Erie by the fire of artillery from batteries there. 3 At the same time 
they were reported to be building large barracks upon Lewiston 
Heights, several miles inland. The subsequent movement of a large 
body of troops from Sackett's Flarbor, in that direction was almost 
immediately revealed to the commandant at Kingston by deserters, and 
Gen< ral Riall was placed on his guard. Severe cold weather, accom- 
panied by heavy tails of snow during the latter part of March, delayed 
the progress of defensive works already commenced by the British, 
and early in April, General Riall sallied out from Fort Niagara 
levelled with the ground the earthworks which had bun 
erected by the Americans, the previous year, along the right bank of 
the river from its mouth to Lewiston, fearing that they might be 
occupied by his adversaries. 4 A deserter, who came in a few days 
later, reported that seven thousand soldiers were already assembled 
near Buffalo. The difficulties of the situation daily increased, and 
th • prospect for the future became more discouraging. A great 

1. UruimiioiKl to Provost, Fob. H; 2. Druinniond to Provost, March 29; 3 Drum- 
I to Provost Fob. 1 4. DraLumond to Provost, March 31, April Yi. 



council of the Indians of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan was convened 
by American agents at Dayton, and those present were informed that 
they must take up arms against the British, or be treated as enemies 
of the United States. Each warrior would receive a stipend of 
sevemy-five certs a day, and their wives and children would be 
returned as hostages. The Delawares, Senecas, Shawanees, and 
Wyandots joined in the war dance and were directed to assemble at 
De'.roit. 1 Similar steps were taken to enlist the tribes ot New York 
and Pennsylvania in the movement against Canada. Marauding 
parties from Detroit made frequent inroads into the Western District, 
canying off the lcyai inhabitams and destroying the settlements at 
Delaware and Po:nt aux Pins. In the middle of May, eight hundred 
Americans conveyed in six ships of war made a descent upon Port 
Dover, and burned the entire village, turning the inhabitants out of 
doors in the midst of a chilling storm of rain and sleet. 2 They then 
proceeded up the lake, destroying the mills near the coast with the 
grain collected for grinding, as they went. At the same time it 
became known that another squadron of eight sail, filled with troops, 
had passed into Lake Huron with the intention of attacking Mackinac, 
the only post yet retained by the British in the west. The available 
storeof grainand flour wasmuch diminished by these incursions. Fresh 
meat was not to be had. The Indians daily consumed twice as 
much flour as the whole of the troops. 3 In the small garrison of 
Fort Erie alone, not much exceeding one hundred persons, no less 
than sixiy-n : ne cases of ague were reported in a single week. The 
Provincial Dragoons had become almost unfit for service from the 
rr.'serable condition of their ill-fed and overworked horses. If 
Commodore Chauncey should succeed in getting; out upon the lake 
with the formidable frigate he bad recently launched at Sackett's 
Harbor, the Americans would obtain as undisputed control of Lake 
Ontario as they already possessed of the upper lakes. 

However ; on the 5th May, Drummond made a successful dash 
from Kingston upon the naval depot at Oswego, which he took and 
destioyed, and Sir James Yeo immediately established a strict 
blockade of Sackett's Harbor. The effect of these operations was to 
delay the equipment of the American squadron for several weeks, 
and consequently retard their invasion of Canada by way of the 
Niagara frontier. Early in May the troops intended for this purpose, 
had begun to assemble at Buffalo, where a camp of instruction was 
immediately formed under the command of Biigadier-General Winfield 
Scott, one of the most talented and best trained officers in the United 
States army. It was proposed that the force employed should consist 
of not less than five thousand regular soldiers, and three thousand 
militia drawn from the States of New York and Pennsylvania. The 
cavalry and artillery were re-organized, and the enlistment of three 
new regiments of riflemen authorized. To encourage recruiting, a 

1. Hildreth History C S. ; 2. Pittsbc^g Mercuty ; 3. Drummond to Provost, Apr. 20 



bounty of $124 was offered to each person enlisting. 1 Most of the 
infantry regiments selected had served throughout the preceding 
campaigns, and consequently had seen quite as much active warfare as 
most of the troops that were likely lo he opposed to them. 

The spring elections had prostrated the Federal party in New 
York, and the Governor had at last a tree hand. The Senate readily 
passed a bili, authorizing the enlistment of 4,000 state troops to serve 
one year. The general order providing for the equipment of the 
New York < ontingent, was issued in March, and authorized the 
organization of two infantry regiments of ten companies, each con- 
sisting of 10S officers and men, and an independent battalion, 
composed of one company of ritles, two of light infantry, and one of 
mounted rifles, forming a brigade of 2,562 of all ranks, under Major 
General Peter B. Porter, formerly a congressman from the Niagara 
District of New York, and one of the chief advocates of the war. For 
two months and a half both regulars and militia were constantly 
exercised in battalion and brigade drill from seven to ten hours a day, 
until they were considered to have attained a remarkable degree of 
efficiency. The French system of field exercise was adopted, and, as 
a proof of their rapidity in manoeuvring, it is stated that Scott' sbrigade 
of four full battalions was able to execute an entire change of front to 
either flank in three minutes and a half.- 

The Pennsylvania detachment, numbering about 600 men, under 
Colonel Fenton, participated in the descent upon Port Dover, and 
did not arrive at Buffalo till late in June. By the exertions of the 
celebrated Seneca chief, Red Jacket, upwards of six hundred Indians 
were likewise assembled to share in the expedition, some ot them 
coming from distant St. Regis village on the borders of Lower Canada. 3 

While these extensive preparations for an invasion were in pro- 
gress, Drummond was anxiously but fruitlessly urging Sir George 
Prevost to reinforce the British forces in that quarter without delay. 
His repeated warnings were to a very great extent unheeded by the 
Governor, who had his attention fixed upon the numerous American 
army massed upon the shores of Lake Champlain. Pencilled upon 
the margin of Drummond's letter of June 21st, 1814, expressing his 
firm belief that the main attack would be made on the Niagara, and 
that the movement of troops towards Plattsburg was simply a feint to 
prevent reinforcements from being despatched from Lower Canada 
to his assistance, there is a memorandum in the handwriting of his 
irritable superior, which is very significant : "Much obliged to 
Lieut.-Gen. Drummond tor his oninion, but it is entirely without 
foundation." Thus Drummond was forced to rely for the time being 
upon the troops already in the Upper Province. As soon as navigation 
opened he reinforced General Rial] with the 103rd regiment, and a 
small company of marine artillery. Even after the arrival of these 
troops, the strength of the right division of the army in Upper Canada 
l. HildrutL; 2. Albany ArgiU ; 3. Hubbard, liod Jacket, Hough Hist. St.Lawrence Co. 



II 

distributed from York (Toronto) to Long Point upon Lake Eric did 
not exceed 3,000 of all arms. It was deemed necessary, for the 
protection of York and Burlington against a sudden descent by water, 
to maintain an entire battalion at each of those posts. Both flanks 
of the position on the Niagara were easily assailable by an enemy 
having command of the lakes, and the attack upon the settlements at 
Port Dover had aroused General Riall's apprehensions lest a strong 
force should be landed there and gain his rear by the western road. 
Having undisputed command of Lake Erie, an invading army might 
also be landed at Point Ab:no, or Sugar Loaf, from both of which 
places practicable roads led to the Niagara, and the successful pursuit 
of Geneial Proctor the preceding autumn, as well as the recent inroads 
from Detroit, had demonstrated the possibility of the rapid advance 
of a body of mounted men and light infantry by way of the Thames. 
Therefore, it became necessary to watch all these routes to guard 
against surprise. Lieut.-Col. Hamilton, with the headquarter wing of 
the 1 ooth, was staHoned at Dover, and detachments of light infantry 
and dragoons were posted at Delaware, Oxford, and the crossing of the 
Grand River (Brantford.) The actual force available for the defence 
of the Niagara was thus reduced to less than 1,800 regular soldiers, 
300 militia, and 150 Indians, distributed along a frontier of thirty-six 
miles, besides furnishing a garrison for Fort Niagara. 1 Slight field- 
works had been constructed at Chippawa and Queenston, and a new 
redoubt built at Niagara to command the mouth of the river, at first 
named Fort Riall, but subsequently known as Fort Missasauga. 2 
When these works, and Forts Erie and George were garrisoned 
scarcely seven hundred men remained available for field operations, 
Many of the soldiers still nominally effective, were so enfeebled by 
disease, exposure, and fatigue in watching such an extended line, that 
they had really become unfit for active service. The surgeon of the 
8th reported that the battalion of that regiment, then stationed at 
Chippawa and Niagara Falls, should be immediately removed, as the 
hospitals were full, and nearly every man in it had been down with 
dysentery or intermittent fever within twelve months. 3 The Royal 
Scots had suffered nearly as much in the same way. Writing from 
Kingston to Sir George Prevost, Drummond thus summed up the 
situation: " One of the best regiments is shut up in Fort Niagara, 
another decidedly inefficient, and a third expected to be so if com- 
pelled to take the field."- 1 

Deserters who came into the British lines agreed in representing 
that an attack was imminent, and reported that the ardour of the 
New York Militia had been excited by the distribution of hand-bills 
announcing that the Emperor of the French had gained a great 
victory near Paris, in which he had taken the sovereigns of Austria, 
Prussia, and Russia, and 40,000 prisoners. A squadron of nine 

1. James ; 2. Capt. Martin to Prevost, July 3rd; 3. Drummond to Prevost, May 21st ; 
4. Drummond to Provost, July 4th. 



armed vessels had been assembled at Buffalo, and they were described 
as collecting boats in Tonawanda Creek, with the intention, it was 
conjectured, of crossing the river below Grand Island. A party of 
Indians, under Captains Caldwell and Elliott, were sent out from 
Fort Niagara in the hope of penetrating their designs, but although 
they ranged the country for dozen miles, and burned a large new 
barracks upon Lewiston Heights, they failed to discover anything of 
importance. Owing to this uncertainty respecting his enemy's 
intentions, General Riall was obliged to retain the greater part of his 
field force at Chippawa and Queenslon, and leave his right wing com- 
paratively weak. In Fort Erie there was a garrison of 125 men, very 
ineffective from sickness. Colonel Pearson, with a detachment of 
Lincoln militia, the light companies of the Royals and 100th, watched 
the river from its head to Chippawa, where five companies of the 
100J1 were posted. The 103rd was at Burlington, the Glengarry 
Light Infantry at Yo r k, and the 8th had begun their mavch to Lower 
Canada, in the hope of regaining health. Both in the Second 
Battalion of the 41st and the 103rd theie were several companies of 
mere boys, and the majority of both corps were so youthful that they 
had been retained in garrison during the whole of the previous year. 

At this opportune moment, an American army was skillfully 
disembarked under cover of the guns of a brig of war and' two 
schooners without the slightest opposition, In two divisions, one above 
and the other a shott distance below Fort Erie, at daybreak on the 
3rd July. Their movements were veiled by a heavy fog, and a picket 
of the 19th Dragoons had barely time to escape. The regular force 
of the invading army consisted of the 9i.I1, uth, 19 h, 21st, 22nd, and 
25th United States Infantry, part of the 2nd Rifles, a squadron of 
cavalry, and four batteries of artillery, numbering be ween four and 
five thousand of all ranks, and forming two brigades under Generals 
Scott and Ripley. The militia and Indians composing a third 
brigade, under the command of General Por.er, it is probable 
exceeded two thousand. The entire force was commanded by Major- 
General Jacob Brown, formerly an officer in the New York Militia, 
who had gained some celebrity among his countrymen by his success, 
or rather his good fortune, in the defence of Sackett's Harbor the year 
before, and bad been rewarded by a commission in the United 
States army. Ripley was an active politician, who had been Speaker 
of the Massachusetts Assembly, but Sco'.t and most of the field 
officers were professional solders. 

Brown's instructions directed him \o force his way to Burlington, 
leaving the forts at the mouth of the river on one side, and severing 
their communications with Yo>k. Having rained the head of the lake, 
he was to await there the orrival of Commodore Chauncey's squadron, 

1 he- was given dircretionary authority to invest and reduce the 
British forts or move directly upon Kingston, as circumstances might 
seem to direct. 



Fort Erie was immediately invested, and although Drummond 
had confidently anticipated that an invading army would be detained 
several days before it, the commandant surrendered the same evening. 
A battalion of United States rifles, accompanied by a strong body of 
militia, appeared simultaneously upon Lewiston Heights, alternately 
menacing Queenston and Fort Niagara. 

Advancing to reconnoitre with "his light troops, Pearson found the 
Americans posted in force upon the heights opposite Black Rock, and 
next day he was steadily pushed back by their advance, destroying the 
bridges upon the road as he retired. These were rapidly rebuilt by 
his pursuers, who encamped for the night within sight of the British 
field-works at Chippawa. General Brown was apparently well- 
informed respecting the movements and numbers of his enemy, for he 
estimated that ihey could not bring more than a thousand men into 
the field, and his advance was conducted with the confidence engen- 
dered by consciousness of an overwhelming numerical superiority. 

Major-General Phineas Riall, the British commander, was an 
officer of twenty years standing, yet had seen little actual warfare. 
He is described as a short, stout, near-sighted man, of an impetuous 
temperament, and rashly brave. Five companies of the Royals were 
hurried forward by him to Chippawa, and a message despatched for 
the instant recall of the 8th. That battalion had already reached 
York before it was overtaken, and did not arrive at Niagara until 
the morning of the 5th. Riall was accordingly compelled to await 
the approach of the invaders at Chippawa, instead of assailing them 
upon their march, as he had at first intended. Reconnoitering their 
position on the morning of the 5th, he estimated their force in sight 
at 2,000 men, and the 8th having come up about noon, he determined 
to attack them without further delay. He had three skeleton 
battalions of infantry, numbering 1,300 rank and file, a troop of the 
19th Dragoons, six pieces of field artillery, 300 Indians and about the 
same number of Lincoln Militia. 1 In the meantime the Americans in 
his front had been joined by Ripley's entire brigade and the greater 
part of Porter's, and now numbered nearly five thousand combatants, 
with nine guns. They had encamped behind Street's Creek, a shallow 
stream less than twenty yards in width at its mouth, and everywhere 
easily fordable. A tract of cultivated land in their front, divided into 
fields by ordinary log or brushwood fences, extended from the river to 
dense woods on the left, a distance of less than half a mile. Near 
the Chippawa a thin belt of trees stretched down almost to the water's 
edge, partially concealing the movements of either army from the 
other. 

Late in the afternoon, Riall provoked the attention of his 
adversary by pushing forward a detachment of the 2nd Lincoln, under 
Lieut. -Col. Dickson, and the whole body of Indians, led by Capt. 
John Norton, to occupy the woods on the flank of his position. 

1. Biall to Drummond, July 6th. 



Brown promptly despatched a portion ol Porter's brigade to drive 
them back. Finding that they offered an obstinate resistance, and 
were even' gaining ground, he continued to support Porter with fresh 
troops until some 1,300 militia and Indians were engaged on his 
part. The skirmish had lasted half an hour in the usual Indian 
fashion, with a great deal of firing and very little blood-shed, when 
perceiving themselves outnumbered, the British Indians began to 
retire. The three light infantry companies of regulars were then 
despatched to their assistance. Being well versed in this kind of 
warfare from the experience of former campaigns, they concealed 
themselves in the thickets and awaited the approach of the Americans 
until they arrived within a few yards. A single heavy volley, pealing 
through the woods, threw them into utter confusion. They were, at 
the same time, fiercely assailed by the militia and Norton's Indians, 
and driven quite through the ranks of a company of regulars formed 
in reserve beyond Street's Creek, and did not rally until the 25th U. 
S. Infantry and a squadron of dragoons were sent to their suppoit. 
Several prisoners, among them three field-officers of the Pennsylvania 
regiment, and a Cayuga chief, were taken, and fifteen warriors and a 
number of militia left dead on the field. 1 Meanwhile, Riall had 
passed the Chippawa with his entire force, and advanced three guns 
to engage the American artillery, which had taken up a position to 
command the road in their front. Observing this, Scott's brigade 
defiled across the bridge, and deploying under fire with remarkable 
steadiness and precision, formed beyond the creek, while Ripley 
forded the stream higher up and prolonged their line of battle to the 
edge of the woods. The British artillery was pushed gradually 
forward until within four hundred yards of their* antagonists, and began 
the action with great spirit. Three guns of Towson's battery replied, but 
one of them was speedily dismounted, and the others seemed in a fair 
way of being driven out of action, when one of the British tumbrils 
was struck by a shell and blew up, disabling several men and horses, 
besides causing great confusion and depriving them of much of their 
fixed ammunition. 3 

In consequence of this unfortunate event. General Riall was 
obliged to bring forward his infantry prematurely to the relief of the 
guns which were then menaced by a battalion of infantry. Forming 
six companies of the Royal Scots and five companies of the 100th 
into two columns, parallel with each other, and placing a light field- 
pie< e upon each flank, and one in the interval, he led them in person 
against the centre of his opponent's position. The 8th, enfeebled by 
disease and wearied by its long march, was held in reserve. Each 
of these battalions, their light companies having been detached, 
numbered less than four hundred rank and file. Scott's brigade 
alone, thus \ery materially outnumbered the forte about to attack it. 

l. White, IiOHBinfi, Stone; 2. Oapt Maohonochie to Ma j .-Gen. Glasgow, Aug. 19. 



r5 

By the time this formation had been completed, the whole of the 
American field-artillery had been brought into action, and the British 
guns were almost reduced to silence. Their pieces were then shotted 
with canister, and turned upon the advancing columns, while the 9th 
and nth regiments, forming the wings of their line, were wheeled 
inwards and overlapped them on either Hank. 1 As soon as the 
British approached within musketry range they were assailed by a 
fierce and incessant fusillade. Losing heavily at every step, they 
moved steadily forward until within two hundred yards of their 
adversaries, when they received the command to charge. The field 
here was intersected by deep furrows, and covered with tall grass, which 
greatly impeded their movements, and rendered their footing 
uncertain. Lieut.-Col. Gordon and the Marquis of Tweeddale fell 
desperately wounded at the head of their battalions. Nearly every 
field-officer was struck down. The men fell in heaps under the 
scathing fire of the enemy. The survivors were involved in inex- 
tricable confusion, and began to straggle to the rear. Riall exposed 
himself recklessly, and yet escaped unhurt, although his clothing was 
pierced with several bullets, but all his efforts to reform the ranks in 
the face of that murderous fire were unavailing. The 8th was 
brought up to cover the retreat, which was accomplished in tolerable 
order, as the Americans showed little inclination to follow up their 
advantage. Most of the dead, and many of the severely wounded, 
vvere left upon the field, and the guns were removed only by the 
gallant exertions of some troopers of the 19th Dragoons, who 
attached their own horses to the carnages, and rode off with them in 
the teeth of the enemy. 

The easy triumph of the Americans was mainly due to the excel- 
lent practice of their artillery. Ripley's brigade was scarcely engaged, 
and Porter's, as we have seen, was beaten entirely out of action at a 
very early period. Their loss was variously stated, but probably did 
not exceed four hundred of all ranks. On the other hand, General 
Riall lost upwards of five hundred, of whom two-fifths were killed or 
missing. Of nineteen officers of the 100th who went into the action, 
fourteen were killed or disabled, with one hundred and ninety non- 
commissioned officers and men. The seven companies of the Royals 
suffered still more severely, eleven officers and two hundred and seven 
rank and file being returned as killed, wounded, and missing. 
Altogether these two battalions lost four hundred and twenty-two 
officers and men out of a total of only nine hundred and fifty ; and 
on the whole, Riall's force was reduced by mote than one-third. 2 

Two days later the British genera! was compelled to destroy his 
works, and abandon his position upon the left bank ot the Chippawa 
in consequence of a turning movement directed against his right 
flank. The redoubt at Queenston was likewise evacuated, and he 
slowly retired upon Fort George. He had already been deserted by 

1. Major Hindman to Gen. Brown, Lossing ; 2. Drummond to Prevost, July 13. 



i6 

nearly the whole of his Indians, and by many of the militia, who were 
alarmed for the safety of their families. 1 The invading forces 
advanced to the summit of Queenston Heights, whence they menaced 
the British position. Here they remained perfectly inactive tor 
several days. On the night of the 12th Major Evans advanced 
with Sadleir's company of the 8th, numbering only thirty-four rank 
and file, to reconnoitre their outposts, in the hope of taking a few 
prisoners. His retreat was intercepted by General Swift, of the New 

. Militia, with one hundred and twenty volunteers, who was also 
upon a scouting expedition, and a sharp skirmish took place, in which 
Evans lost six men and the American leader was killed. 2 The move- 
ments of his opponent next morning led Riall to believe that an 
attempt would be made upon the depot at Burlington, and having 
increased the garrisons of the three forts at the mouth of the river, he 
resumed his retreat towards the head of the lake, while the Americans 
at Queenston were firing minute-guns for their dead general, with 
only\s36 officers and men of all arms. 3 The same day Colonel Henry 
Scott advanced from Burlington with six hundred of the 103rd, 

ng the two hoy-companies and some invalids and militia in 
garrison there, and joined Riall at the Twenty Mile Creek, where the 
united force encamped upon the heights. For more than' a week 
Brown lingered upon the brow of Queenston "mountain" gazing 
anxiously out upon the blue waters of the lake below in the vain hope 
of catching a glimpse of Chauncey's squadron speeding to his assis- 
tance. Prom time to time his columns wound down into the plain 
and crept within distant cannon-shot of the batteries of Fort George, 
and as often retired to their tents again without accomplishing any 
thing. During all this time they did not even succeed in establishing 
an effective blockade of the British works. Upon one occasion, two 
British field-guns galloped out of Fort George and shelled their rear- 
guard, and the same day five of their cavalry videttes were surprised 
and carried off by militia lurking in the woods along their line of 
march. The women and children in the farm houses and fields by 
the wayside conspired to mislead and bafile the detachments sent in 

ait. 

mwhile a lev) en masse of the militia from Lorn; Point 

to die Bay of Quinte had been proclaimed, and in a few days Riall 

was joined by upwards of a thousand men of different battalions, 

ny of them fine serviceable fellows," but badly armed and un- 

plined. Those who had temporarily deserted him rapidly 

recovered from their panic, and a considerable number of stragglers 

( ut off by them in the vicinity of Queenston and St. Davids, and 

many deserters wire brought into the British lines. On the other 

hand the course of the American militia and Indians was marked by 

l. Rial! to Dmmmond, July 8 ; 2. Evans to Riall, July 13; 3. Royals .v20, 6th '200, 

IucoipcjraLcd Militiu. oli'i, tliroo 3-pouuilora, one S) inch houtzer ; Riall to Diumraoud, 
July 16. 



*7 

pillage and rapine. "The whole population is against us," wrote 
Major McFarland of the 23rd U. S. Infantry. "Not a foraging party 
goes out but is fired on, and frequently returns with diminished num- 
bers. This state was to have been anticipated. The militia and 
Indians have plundered and burnt everything." Willcock's battalion 
of Canadian refugees seized the opportunity of wreaking summary 
vengeance upon their loyalist enemies. Old men and boys were 
sent as prisoners to the United States, and women maltreated. 

The partizan warfare daily grew keener. On the 15th an Ameri- 
can wagon train was attacked at Queenston, and the greater part of 
it destroyed. The following night the picket-guard at Fort Erie was 
cut off to a man. These incidents so exasperated the invaders that 
upon the 19th they burnt the entire village of St. Davids, containing 
some thirty or forty houses, and followed this up by the destruction 
of every dwelling between Queenston and Niagara Falls. These pro- 
ceedings were attended by such revolting conduct on the part of their 
militia under Colonel Stone, that Major McFarland, who was sent to 
cover their retreat, declared that he would have resigned his commis- 
sion if the commanding officer had not been dismissed from the 
service. 

Having been joined by several companies of the Glengary Light 
Infantry from York, under the ever-active Fitzgibbon, Riall advanced 
the same day to Ten Mile Creek with his left wing, composed of militia 
and Indians, extending as far as De Cew's Falls, and menacing the 
rear of the American position by way of Lundy's Lane. The entire 
male population immediately new to arms, and joined him, actuated 
by a spirit of intense hostility towards the invaders. His scouts found 
their way into St. Davids, Queenston, and even Chippawa, harassing the 
enemy's pickets, and picking up stragglers. His apprehensions were, 
however, at the same time, aroused by mysterious negotiations on 
the part of his Indians with their kinsmen in the American service, 
and a raid from Detroit upon the defenceless settlement at Port 
Talbot, which was ruthlessly destroyed, compelled him to detach 
the Oxford battalion of militia in that direction, as a precautionary 
measure. 1 On the 20th, leaving about 300 men in possession of 
Lewiston Heights, Brown advanced with the remainder of his army 
within two miles of Fort George, where he encamped and began to 
collect materials for siege batteries. He appears to have entertained 
the hope that by this movement, the British commander might be 
induced to hazard another engagement with inferior members, to 
relieve the garrison. Two days later, Riall had succeeded in 
concentrating in advance of Twelve Mile Creek 1,700 regular troops, 
including the Glengary Light Infantry and Incorporated Militia, 700 
Lincoln Militia, and an equal number of Indians, in readiness to 
pounce upon the flank and rear of his adversary should he attempt 
the actual investment of the forts. Fort George was at the same 
1. Kiall to Drnmmond, July 17 ; Ibid Jaly 19. 



i8 

time garrisoned by 400 of the Royal Scots and 260 of the 100th, Fort 
Missassauga by 290 of the 8th, a company of negro volunteers, and 
a few artillerymen and artificers, making an aggregate of 400 persons, 
while Fort Niagara was occupied by 550 men of the 41st and fifty 
artillerymen. Nearly one-half of the garrisons were, however, upon 
the sick list, and many others too young to be of much service. 1 

It was ascertained that General Brown had been joined by 
considerable reinforcements since the action at Chippawa, and that 
he brought over nearly the whole of his supplies from Lewiston, 
where he had collected many boats, thus avoiding the necessity of 
preserving an uninterrupted line of communications with Fort Erie. 
Reconnoitring the same afternoon with thirty picked men, Captain 
Fitzgibbon obtained an excellent view of his entire army spread out 
in the plain below, from the summit of Queenston Heights. As he 
watched their movements, their tents were struck, and their retiring 
columns filled the roads, extending from De Puisaye's house within 
cannon-shot of Fort George, without a break to the village of 
Queenston, a distance of more than five miles. Lingering too long 
in his covert, he was discovered by their light troops, and hotly 
pursued almost to the British outposts, upon the Ten Mile Creeks 
That night the American army again encamped at Queenston, and 
the British advance-guard was pushed forward to Four Mile Creek. 

The next morning General Brown received a despatch from 
Sackett's Harbor, informing him that the American squadron was 
still closely blockaded there, and he immediately retired behind the 
Chippawa. Relinquishing all hopes of co-operation on the part of 
the fleet, he describes his intentions to have been to disencumber his 
army <>f all unnecessary baggage, and having lulled his antagonist's 
suspicions by his retrograde movement, to make a rapid march upon 
Burlington. J Unfortunately for the success of this plan, Sir Gordon 
Drummond arrived the same day at York, bringing with him from 
Kingston 400 of the second battalion of the 89th, under that sturdy 
soldier, Colonel Joseph Warton Morrison, who had won the hard- 
fought battle at Chrystler's Farm the autumn before. The two flank 
companies of the 104th, completed by volunteers to the number of 
sixty rank and file each, had already been sent forward to strengthen 
Riall, under the command of their fiery-hearted Lieutenant-Colonel, 
his nephew, William Drummond. Further reinforcements, consisting 
of the Regiment De Watteville and detachments of other corps, were 
likewise on the way from Kingston, leaving that important post 
almohl without a garrison. 

One of Drummond's fust acts was to order the discharge of all 

the very young, as well as the old and weakly militiamen, with 

the double object of relieving the strain upon his supply of provisions 

and setting them at liberty to gather their hay. Learning that the 

1. RlaTJ to Drummond, July 17, Ibid July 22; 2. liiall to Drurnmond, July 22 ; Brown 

!:.t- 



Americans had established their base of supplies at Lewiston, he 
immediately embarked the 89th in the two armed vessels Star and 
Charwell, leaving York garrisoned by only a few invalids, with 
instructions to proceed directly to the mouth of the Niagara. Upon 
their arrival, Lieut. -Col. Tucker was instructed to draft two-thirds of 
the garrisons from the different forts, making with the 89th and flank 
companies of the 104th a body of about 1,500 men, and at daybreak 
on the 25th, to assail the batteries the Americans had begun near 
Youngstown, while General Riall was directed at the same time to 
advance towards St. Davids for the purpose of distracting the 
attention of their force in Canada and preventing them from sending 
reinforcements across the river. A bold and successful stroke at their 
depot of supplies, he argued, would seriously jeopardize the position 
of the invaders, while he explicitly stated that he did not wish to risk 
an engagement upon the left bank of the river until the remainder of 
his reinforcements came up, when he confidently expected to finish 
the campaign at a blow. 1 

Late on the afternoon of the 24th, Drummond himself went on 
board the schooner Netley, and set sail for Niagara with the intention 
of assuming the command of the forces in the field. He was then in 
his forty-third year, an active, brave, and resolute soldier, who had 
seen war in Egypt, Holland, and the West Indies during a quarter 
ot a century of military life 

When he arrived in the mouth of the river at daybreak next 
morning, he learned that the situation had materially changed. 
General Brown had retired to Chippawa, and Riall had taken 
advantage of this fact to push forward his brigade of light troops the 
night before, to seize the important strategic position near Niagara 
Falls, commanding the junction of Lundy's Lane with the Portage 
Road, with the intention of supporting it that morning with the whole 
of his division. At nightfall on the 24th, the disposition of the 
British forces had been the following : — The First Brigade, Colonel 
Henry Scott commanding, composed of a detachment of the 19th 
Light Dragoons, half a battalion of the 8th, and seven companies of 
the 103rd, with two 6-pound field-guns, lay at Twelve Mile Creek; 
the Second Brigade, Lieut.-Colonel Tucker, consisting of half a 
battalion of the Royal Scots, half a battalion of the 8th, the second 
battalion of the 41st, and a wing of the 100th, with a detachment of 
Royal Artillery in charge of two 24-pound and two 6-pound field- 
pieces, occupied the forts at the mouth of the river, and had just 
been joined by Colonel Morrison with his detachment of the 89th : 
the Third, or Light Brigade, Lieut.-Col. Pearson, was made up ot 
a troop of the 19th, Major Lisle, the light companies of the 8th and 
103rd, the Glengary Light Infantry, and the Incorporated Militia, 
encamped at Four Mile Creek ; the Fourth Brigade, Lieut.-Col. 
Parry, consisting of three battalions of embodied militia, and a 

1. Harvey to Tucker, July 23. 



iO 



body of Indians, formed the right wing of the British position' 
stretching along the Twelve Mile Creek as far as De Cew's Falls. 
while the flank and four battalion-companies of the Royal Scots, and 
four battalions of embodied militia, with three 6-pounders and a 
howitzer, were held in reserve under Lieut.-Col. John Gordon. This 
seems a formidable force on paper, but the Royals, 8th, and iooth 
were mere skeleton battalions. The latter could muster but one 
captain, three subalterns and 250 effective men, while the 
others were very little stronger. The militia regiments were weak in 
numbers, and miserably armed and equipped. 

On the evening of the 23rd the whole of General Brown's army 
had encamped in the plain between Street's Creek and the Chippawa, 
but a battalion of riflemen and a regiment of militia were still 
posted on Lewiston Heights, having their pickets advanced as far as 
Youngstown. Their principal magazine of supplies had, however, 
been transferred to Schlosser. 

At midnight Colonel Pearson received orders to advance with 
his brigade, numbering about 800 of all ranks, and by seven o'clock 
on the morning of the 25th he had taken possession of the high 
ground at Lundy's Lane without encountering any opposition. At 
the same time instructions had been issued to Colonel Scott to move 
upon the same point from Twelve Mile Creek at three in the 
morning, but this order was subsequently countermanded, and his 
brigade remained in their quarters until afternoon. In the course of 
the morning, Riall rode forward, accompanied only by Lieut.-Col. 
Urummond and a small escort, and joined Pearson. 1 

These movements induced an immediate change in Drummond's 
plan of operations. Colonel Morrison, with the 89th, a detachment 
of the Royals, Lieut. Hemphill, and one of the 8th, Captain 
Campbell, with two 24-pound brass field-pieces, Lieut. Tomkins, 
was directed to march by way of Queenston to the support of 
General Riall at Lundy's Lane, while Lieut.-Col. Tucker, with 500 
men of the Royals and 41st, and some Indians, advanced along the 
other bank upon Lewiston, accompanied upon the river by a number 
of boats manned by seamen under Captain Alexander Dobbs. 
Tucker's column arrived at Lewiston about noon, and drove out the 
garrison after a trifling skirmish, capturing a hundred tents and a 
small quantity of other stores. The light company of the 41st and 
the detachment of the Royals were then brought over to Queenston, 
and added to Morrison's column, increasing it to about 800 officers 
and men. 

After a brief halt, the march was resumed, and towards six 
o'clock a dragoon rode up in haste to meet General Drummond, who 
was near the rear of the column, and still several miles from his 
destination, bearing a message from Riall, stating that the enemy was 
advancing in great force against his position. Upon receiving this 

1. Lettore of VeritiiB. 



alarming intelligence, the general rode rapidly forward, and on 
reaching Lundy's Lane, to his intense surprise and disappointment, 
instead of finding the ground occupied by General Riall's entire 
division, as he expected, he discovered the light brigade alone retiring 
in theTace of the enemy, the head ot whose columns was already 
within a few hundred yards of the crest of the hill, and the woods on 
either side of the road swarming with their riflemen. The narrow 
road in the rear leading to Queenston was choked by Morrison's 
advancing column, which had just come into view, and retreat was in 
a manner impossible without hazarding disaster. Drummond's 
resolution was promptly taken. He countermanded the retreat, and 
ordered up Lieut. Tomkins with his twenty-four pounders to hold 
the Americans in check until the remainder of the troops could come 
up and form. 

Shoitly after his arrival at Lundy's Lane, Pearson despatched 
Captain W. H. Merritt with a few Provincial dragoons to reconnoitre, 
and the entire American army was discovered quietly encamped 
beyond the Chippawa. When General Riall came up, he sent off 
an orderly with a message, directing the advance of Colonel Scott's 
brigade and a portion of the reserve, leaving the main body of militia 
and Indians still encamped near the Twelve Mile Creek. 

In the course of the afternoon, General Brown learned that the 
British had advanced in considerable force along the right bank of 
the river, and had taken possession of Lewiston, and were then 
believed to be advancing upon Schlosser. He had sent most of his 
baggage away, reserving only one tent to every ten men, and had 
obtained a good supply of provisions from beyond the Niagara. His 
men had been refreshed by two days' rest, the British force was 
divided, and he believed the favorable movement for executing his 
movement towards Burlington had arrived. His entire division was 
immediately placed under arms, and General Scott, with his own 
brigade, accompanied by Towson's company of artillery with two 
guns and the whole body of cavalry and mounted riflemen, was 
directed to march upon Queenston, and if he encountered the en?my, 
to report the fact at once, when he would be supported by the entire 
division. 

Near Table Rock there stood a small tavern kept by a Mrs. 
Wilson, which had escaped the general devastation of the frontier. 
As the head of Scott's column approached this house, several British 
officers were observed to come out and mount their horses. Some of 
them instantly galloped off and disappeared behind the belt of woods 
beyond, but one elderly man halted in the middle of the road, and 
cooly surveyed their movements until they had come within musket- 
shot, when he saluted a party of American officers riding in front, 
and rode rapidly after his companions. They found the landlady 
nervous, but communicative. She expressed her regret that they had 
not advanced with greater speed, as they might have easily captured 



at 

the whole of her late guests, and estimated General Riall's force, 
which she described very circumstantially, at double its actual strength. 
The sound of many bugles was heard in and beyond the woods, and 
Scott at once despatched a staff-officer to demand instant reinforce- 
ments.i The remainder of the American army being already under 
arms, it was immediately put in motion. 2 

The exact strength ot Brown's division at that date is difficult 
to ascertain. He admitted the loss of 320 officers and men in the 
action at Chippawa, but it has been stated to have been considerably 
greater by a friendly writer. 3 Forty or fifty more had been killed or 
taken in skirmishes since, a small garrison had been left at Fort Erie, 
and a detachment sent to Schlosser. He had been three weeks in 
Canada, and his force must have been somewhat reduced by the 
disease and fatigue incident to a campaign in the field. His regular 
regiments had been considerably diminished by desertion, no less 
than six deserters having come into the British lines in a single day, 
while his militia had probably suffered in a still greater degree from the 
same cause. He expressly states that the whole of his Indians had 
left him. 4 

On the other hand, he had received considerable reinforcements. 
A letter in the Baltimore Patriot, dated July 12th, relates that upon 
the day after the action at Chippawa, he was joined by about one 
thousand men from Buffalo, regulars, volunteers, and Indians, among 
them Captain Stone's mounted riflemen, 160 strong. On July 16th, 
deserters who arrived in the British camp reported that 700 men had 
just crossed over from Lewiston. 5 Rumors of disaster having become 
current before intelligence of the battle had been actually received, 
the editor of Niks' Register, published in Baltimore, took occasion to 
to observe in the issue of July 30th : "General Brown has received 
some handsome reinforcements from Buffalo, and there is no reason 
to believe he cannot maintain his ground for sometime." The most 
authoritative evidence on the subject is contained in a pamphlet 
published by General Ripley in 1S1 5, vindicating his conduct, which 
is now very rare. It contains an official return, showing the effective 
strength of the two brigades of infantry upon the 23rd July to have 
been 136 officers and 2,620 non-commissioned officers and privates. 
Upon the 24th we learn that 100 of the 22nd Infantry, under Lieut. 
Guy, and 220 of the 1st, under Colonel Nicholas, who are no: 
included in this return, arrived from Fort Erie. Then he supplies a 
second return, showing the effective strength of Porter's brigade upon 
the 30th July, five days after the action, to have been sixty-one officers, 
and 538 rank and file, and that of the artillery on the same 
date, twelve officers and 260 rank and file. The loss of these corps in 
the action, according to the official published return, was ir2 of all 
ranks, but this certainly docs not include loss from desertion and 

1 Dou^'liiKh' Reminiscences ; 2. Brown to Armstrong, August — ; 3. Paris M. Davis 
pntB it at 80 killed, 316 wounded, 19 missing ; I. Brown to Armstrong, July 23; 5. Rial) 
to i inmimnncl, July 17. 



2 3 

straggling, which, in a militia force, especially, is commonly very 
considerable after a reverse. This, however, gives a grand total of 
4,059 officers and men. The general staff, dragoons, mounted 
infantry, and a detachment of engineers, still remain unincluded, but 
of these no returns are available. Making due allowance for these 
and the probable understatement of the loss of the militia brigade, it 
is safe to say that Brown had under arms on the evening of the 25th 
July at least 4,500 of all ranks, of whom upwards of 3,500 were 
regulars. A certain proportion probably were detailed for camp 
service, but after making a reasonable deduction for this, he still must 
have been able to bring more than 4,000 men into action, with nine 
pieces of field-artillery, three of which were 18-pounders, and one, a 
5^-inch howitzer. In fact, a letter dated at Buffalo next day giving 
a very accurate account of the battle, states his force engaged at 
precisely that number. 1 In artillery, he possessed a decided 
preponderance at the beginning of the action, an advantage which 
was only partially counterbalanced by the excellence of the position 
occupied by the British guns. 

Leaving the Queenston read at nearly a right angle, Lundy's 
Lane followed a course almost due west for about half a mile, thence 
trending gradually northward, crossed the Twelve Mile Creek at 
DeCew's Falls. About a hundred yards west of the junction of the 
roads, on the south side of Lundy's Lane, stood a Presbyterian 
church, a low frame building, painted red. It occupied the highest 
point of the rise, which slopes gently southward and westward, but 
dips more abruptly to the east and north. On the right of the 
church lay a small enclosure in which a few wooden slabs and rude 
brown headstones, with sometimes a brief inscription roughly carved 
upon them with the village blacksmith's chisel, but more often name- 
less, marked the graves of the fathers of the settlement. Hither, too, 
brave young Cecil Bishop was borne by sorrowing comrades upon 
their return from that daring raid in which he met his death, and 
here he still reposes. Southward, a thriving young orchard covered 
the slope below the graveyard, extending quite to the edge of the 
Portage Road and encircling a small dwelling and farmyard. Meadows 
and cultivated fields lay beyond, bounded by thick woods less than 
half a mile away on both sides of the road, stretching down to the 
river near Table Rock, and skirting the brink of the chasm for a long 
distance. 

Dreading an ambush, Scott carefully reconnoitred these woods, 
and his delay enabled the British light troops to regain the position 
they had just abandoned. Then, as now, Lundy's Lane was bordered 
by many apple, cherry, and peach trees, thrusting their projecting 
boughs over the highway. In these orchards the Glengary Light 
Infantry took up their ground, forming the right wing of the British 
line of battle. Tomkins' two field-guns were planted among he 
1. Poulson's American. 



^4 

graves on the very summit of the knoll beside the church, so as to 
sweep the road. The detachment of the 8th and the Incorporated 
Militia were posted in the fields on the left of the main road extending 
towards the river, but leaving an interval of more than two hundred 
yards unoccupied next the bank, which was overgrown with scrub- 
pine and brushwood. The extremities of both wings were inclined 
slightly forward. The remainder of Morrison's column was formed in 
rear of the guns, under shelter of the ridge, as it came up, and the 
troop of the 19th Dragoons was drawn up on the highroad some 
distance further away. 1 The entire number of all ranks in the field 
when this was accomplished was 1,637, of whom about one-half were 
Provincial troops. 2 

It has become the fashion among American writers to descrfbe 
Drummond's force as being composed of Wellington's veterans. 
With the exception of Colonel Henry Scott and possibly a few other 
officers, who may have exchanged from other regiments, it is safe to 
assert that not a man in the entire division had ever served under that 
illustrious commander, and very few of them had seen active service 
of any kind outside of Canada. 

As the Americans emerged from the woods, the'oth, nth, and 
22nd regiments deployed in the fields on the left and the 25th on the 
right of the road, while their two field-guns came to the front and 
unlimbered upon the highway. The brigade of infantry numbered 
1,506 of all ranks, and the artillery, dragoons and other mounted 
corps, consisting of two troops of U. S. dragoons and the New York 
commands of Boughton and Stone, probably mustered 300 more, 
making a total force of 1,800 fighting men. 3 

The sun was about half an hour high, or, in other words, it was 
between six and seven o'clock in the afternoon when Scott began the 
engagement by a general attack of light troops along the entire front 
of the British position. On the right, the Glengaries easily maintained 
their ground, but a section of the Royal Scots which had just come 
up, startled by the sudden apparition among the trees in their front, of 
a body of men in green uniforms, resembling those of the American 
riflemen they had encountered that morning at Lewiston, fired a 
volley upon them, which injured several and produced some con- 
fusion. 4 

The centre attack was not pushed with vigor, and was easily 
repelled by the artillery fire alone. But upon the left of the line, the 
Americans soon obtained a decided advantage. Observing the belt 
of unoccupied ground next the river, Scott ordered Colonel T. S. 
Jesup, with the 25th U. S. Infantry, to make a wide circuit through 
the undergrowth in that direction, and, by turning the flank of the 
British position, attempt to gain possession of the Queenston Road 
in their rear. Favored by the approach of night, and concealed 

1. Druminond to Provost, July 27, Lossing ; 2. Auchinleck ; :i. Ripley, C. K. Gardner 
I (lot. V. S. Army ; 4. U. 8. Journal, 1845. 



2 5 
from view by thickets, that regiment made its way unperceivcd into 
the interval, and suddenly attacking the battalion of Incorporated 
Militia in flank at the moment it was attempting to take ground 
further to the left, threw it into confusion, and took four officers and 
near a hundred men prisoners. Following up his advantage, Jesup 
advanced rapidly as far as the road, which he occupied in force, and 
the troop of the 19th finding a strong body of infantry firing upon 
them from the enclosures on their flank, retired as far as Muddy 
Run. 1 Nor was this the full measure of his success. First, Captain 
Loring, A. D. C, to General Drummond, riding to the rear to bring 
up the cavalry, was captured, then General Riall, himself, bleeding 
from a wound, which subsequently caused the amputation of his arm, 
fell into his power in the same manner. The prisoners were 
promptly hurried from the field, and when their rank was announced 
to the remainder of the brigade, it became the signal for loud and 
prolonged cheering along their entire line, caught up and repeated by 
Ripley's and Porter's advancing columns. 

Scarcely had these sounds died away, when a shell from the 
British battery struck one of Towson's ammunition wagons, which 
instantly blew up with a great explosion. This incident was hailed 
in turn by exulting shouts from the successful gunners, who redoubled 
their efforts in consequence, and the American pieces were speedily 
overpowered by their fire. The Incorporated Militia quickly 
recovered from their confusion, and reformed in rear of the 89th, 
fronting the Queenston road, and covering the flank and rear of the 
troops in Lundy's Lane. 2 Their musketry soon compelled Jesup to 
relinquish the position he had secured, and communication with the 
rear was re-opened. 3 

A general advance of the 9th, nth, and 22nd Infantry 
converging upon the British guns, forced the 89th and the detach- 
ments of the 8th and Royal Scots to advance to their support, and 
was not repelled without a sharp struggle, in which both parties 
suffered heavily. Lieut. Hemphill, leading the Royals, was killed, 
and the command of his party, the remnant of three companies, 
devolved on another young subaltern, Lieut. Fraser. Colonel 
Morrison was so severely wounded that he was carried from the field, 
and Major Clifford assumed command of the 89th, while Captain 
Campbell, of the 8th, had his horse killed beneath him. Their 
assailants finally retired, leaving the slope strewed with their dead 
and wounded, and reformed under cover of their artillery. 

Biddle's, Hindman's, and Ritchie's batteries, containing in all 
seven guns, advanced to Towson's assistance, and the artillery-duel 
was resumed. Notwithstanding the disparity in numbers, the British 
guns still maintained a decided superiority. Captains Biddle and 
Ritchie were both wounded, the latter mortally, and Towson is said 
to have lost twenty-seven out of thirty-six men serving his guns.4 

1. Merritt; Keminiscences of L. Palmer, M, S. S.: 2. Drummond to Prevoat, July 27 '• 
3. Lossing ; 4. Peterson, Heroes of U. S. 



26 

Colonel McRee, an engineer officer, who was acting as General 
Brown's chief of staff, finally assured the American commander that 
he need not hope for ultimate success unless the hill was taken and 
the guns silenced. 1 By this time the entire available force of his 
division had arrived. Scott's brigade was much exhausted and 
diminished in numbers. Accordingly, Ripley's brigade, consisting of 
the ist, 21st, and 23rd Infantry, besides detachments of the 2nd Rifles, 
17th and 19th Infantry, was formed for the main attack, having 
Porter's brigade, composed of Dobbins' and Swift's New York 
regiments, Fenton's Pennsylvania battalion, and Willcocks' Canadian 
Volunteers, upon their left, while the 25th U. S. I. still maintained 
their position in the thickets on the right.* 

For a few minutes, firing almost ceased, and this interval was 
employed by the American artillerymen in bringing forward fresh 
supplies of ammunition, and a daring officer, Captain Brooke, 
stealthily crept up the hillside until within a few yards cf the British 
battery, with a dark lantern, which he suspended in a thicket, as a 
guide for his gunners to take aim by, for although the moon had risen, 
its light was rendered faint and uncertain by drifting clouds of smoke 
and dust, and the position of either line of battle was simply indicated 
at intervals, by the flash of their guns. 3 

The action had now continued for nearly three hours, and the 
British force had been reduced by casualties, to less than twelve 
hundred officers and men, and their situation seemed perilous in the 
extreme. It could no longer be a matter of doubt that they had to 
contend with the entire American army. But relief, though long 
delayed, was now close at hand. After the original order of march 
had been countermanded, the troops encamped at Twelve Mile 
Creek letnained quietly in their quarters until afternoon. Then an 
order was received from General Riall, directing a portion of the force 
to advance immediately to his support, by way of DeCew's Falls and 
Lundy's Lane. This involved a march of fourteen miles under a 
burning sun. Colonel Scott instantly obeyed, taking with him seven 
companies of his own regiment, (the 103rd,) seven companies of the 
Royal Scots, Lieut.-Col. John Gordon, five companies of the 8th, 
Major Evans, the flank companies of the 104th, Capt. R. Leonard, 
and a few picked men selected from some of the Militia battalions in 
camp, under Lieut.-Col. Hamilton, yet owing to the weak state of the 
companies, his entire column did not muster more than 1,200 of all 
ranks. 1 This force was accompanied by three 6-pounders and a 5^ 
inch howitzer, under Captain Mackonochie. The advance-guard was 
already within three miles of their destination, when they were met by 
in orderly bearing a despatch from General Riall, announcing that he 
was about to retire upon Queenston, and directing them to retreat at 
once. They had retraced their steps for nearly four miles, when the 

1. Lossing ; 2. Brown to Armstrong, Aug. ; 3. Peterson ; 1. Drammond to 

1'revost, July 27. 



27 

roar of cannon burst upon their ears and they were overtaken by a 
second messenger, summoning them to the scene of conflict. It was 
accordingly nine o'clock before the head of this column, weary and 
footsore with a march of more than twenty miles almost without a halt, 
came in view on the extreme light. 1 

Already the American artillery had opened fire with renewed 
vigor to cover the advance of their infantry, and Porter's riflemen 
were creeping stealthily forward on the right, in the hope of turning 
that flank also. Drummond promptly foiled this movement by 
directing the headquarter wing ot the Royals and the flank companies 
of the 104th to prolong his fighting line in that direction while he 
formed the remainder of Colonel Scott's column into a second line in 
rear of Lundy's Lane 2 These dispositions had not yet been entirely 
completed when a large body of infantry was again observed advancing 
upon the artillery. The troops destined for the assault of the battery 
composed of the 1st U. S. Infantry, Colonel R. C. Nicholas, detach- 
ments of the 17th and 19th, and the whole of the 21st, under com- 
mand of Colonel James Miller, and the 23rd, Major I). McFarland, 
had quietly been formed in the hollow, where their movements were 
concealed by the darkness, and now advanced silently in line, two 
deep, under cover of the discharge of all their artillery, which con- 
centrated its fire upon the British guns. These battalions mustered 
upwards of 1,400 bayonets. 3 The position occupied by the 1st U. S. 
Infantry, forming the centre of their line, compelled that regiment, 
which had just completed a tour of service in the distant frontier 
posts on the banks of the Mississippi, to climb the slope in the face 
of the point-blank fire of the British guns, while Miller's and 
McFarland's commands moved obliquely upon the battery from 
either flank. Scarcely had they begun to feel the effects of the 
artillery-fire when this regiment gave way, and before it could be 
rallied by its officers, had retired a considerable distance in much 
disorder. 4 The 23rd on the right, advanced with more firmness and 
lost heavily. Their commander was killed and their line began to 
waver, but order was soon restored by the efforts of General Ripley, 
who directed their movements in person after the fall of Major 
McFarland. 5 Miller's approach on the opposite flank was screened 
from the view of the gunners by the church and an almost continuous 
line ot thickets fringing both sides of a shallow ravine.e Within 
twenty yards of the guns, a stout log-fence, skirted with shrubbery 
and small trees, crossed their path and furnished convenient cover. 
Up to this point their advance had been unobserved by the artillery- 
men, whose attention was rivetted upon the batteries below. Halting 
there for a moment, they fired a single effective volley, and rushing 
forward, gained the summit. A few gunners still clung desperately to 
their pieces and were bayonetted while striving to reload, and the 

1. Letters of Veritas ; 2. Drummond to PrevoBt, July 27 ; 3. Ripley, official return ; 
4. Brown to Armstrong ; 5. Ibid ; 6. Jacobs' Life of P. Gass. 



28 

battery which had been worked so effectively against them was in 
their possession. Both the 24-pounders and one of Captain 
Mackonochie's 6-pounders which had since been brought up to their 
assistance, were taken. Lieut. Tomkins and a few of his men were 
also captured and temporarily confined in the church, whence most 
of them soon succeeded in making their escape. 1 

Nearly at the same instant, Ripley came up with the 23rd, and 
the 1st, having reformed, advanced to their support. Ripley's entire 
brigade was thus massed on a very narrow front, on the south side of 
I.undy's Lane, between the church and the Queenston road. Scott's 
brigade, with the exception of the 25th Infantry, was rapidly brought 
forward and took post on their left, while Porter's Volunteers distantly 
engaged the flank companies of the 104th, and the wing of the 
Royals. 2 

Miller's movement had been at once so rapid, unexpected, and 
successful, that the British guns were in his possession before the 
infantry in rear had time to advance for their protection. These 
detachments then hastily advanced to recover them, but after a very 
severe contest, were repelled with heavy loss. At short range, the cart- 
ridges of the Americans, containing in addition to the ordinary bullets, 
three large buck-shot, were particularly effective. Lieutenant Eraser, on 
whom the command of the Royals in this part of the field, had 
devolved, was wounded, and the survivors of his detachment rallied 
around the colors of the 89th. While this struggle was in progress for 
the possession of the hill, the American artillery limbered up and 
advanced to take up a new position upon the summit. In the 
attempt, they met with a sudden and unforeseen disaster. While their 
howitzer was ascending the slope at a gallop, a volley of musketry 
brought nearly all the drivers at once to the ground, and the horses 
missing their riders and left without guidance, plunged frantically 
forward into the opposing ranks, where they were soon secured. 3 

The remainder of the British artillery was at the same time 
brought forward until the muzzles of the guns were only a few yards 
asunder, and the battle thenceforward became a confused, ferocious, 
and sanguinary struggle, waged frequently at the bayonet's point, or 
with clubbed muskets, the British striving desperately to regain the 
ground they had lost, and their opponents to thrust them down into 
the hollow beyond, and drive them from the field. Regiments, 
companies, and sections were broken up and mingled together. They 
retired, rallied, and were led to the charge again. It is next to 
impossible to present a consecutive narrative of the closing hours of 
the strife. It is asserted by the Americans that they three times 
repelled the attempts ot their adversaries to regain their lost position. 4 
In one of these, we learn that the 103rd being largely a boy-regiment, 

1 I, .Ruing, Drummonil, Browne, England's Artillerymen ; 2. Miller's letter to his 
wife, July 2«, .J. L. Thomsou Hist. Late War ; 3. Letter of K L Allen, 21st U. S. I., in 
Plttsfleld (Mass.) Sun; 1. Loosing, J. L. Thomson, &c. 



2(, 

and this their first experience of battle, gave way, and were only 
rallied by the strenuous exertions of Major Smelt and other officers. 1 
In another, the assailants forced their way into Major Hindman's 
battery and compelled him to spike two of his guns.'- In the 
short interval between these attacks, Generals Brown and Scott took 
counsel together, and, in consequence, Scott's brigade was moved into 
Lundy's Lane, and took post in line immediately in front of their 
artillery, which was now rendered nearly useless by the very proximity of 
the contending forces. Upon the repulse of the second attack, Scott 
formed his regiments into close column, left in front, and hoping to 
profit by the disorder in the British ranks, led them to the charge in 
turn. The 89th reserved their fire until their assailants were within 
twenty paces when a volley was delivered with such fatal effect that 
they recoiled in confusion to the rear. Their place in the line was at 
once occupied by a portion of General Porter's brigade, and Colonel 
Leavenworth rallied and reformed the broken platoons upon the left 
of their former position. Having changed front, they were again led 
to the charge by their courageous brigadier, who had already had two 
horses killed under him, in an effort to force back the British right. 
Again repelled with heavy loss, they were again rallied, this time on 
the extreme left of their line.* 1 General Scott was himself wounded by 
a musket ball, which fractured his shoulder, and, having also received 
a severe contusion in the side, was removed from the field. His 
regimental commanders, Colonels Brady, Jesup, and McNeil, and 
his Brigade-Major, Smith, had also been disabled. The nth and 
22nd U. S. Infantry went entirely to pieces, and the 9th alone 
preserved its formation, kept together by the exertions of Leavenwoith, 
its colonel, who was likewise wounded.* More than half the officers 
of these three regiments had been killed or badly hurt, and it was 
subsequently related by deserters, that on one occasion, being hard 
pressed, the remnant of the brigade actually threw down its arms and 
attempted to surrender in a body, but finding that the British 
continued their fire, resumed their weapons in despair. 5 Be this as it 
may, the list of killed and wounded bore eloquent testimony to the 
courage and determination with which they had maintained the 
contest. 

About the same time, General Brown received a flesh wound in 
the thigh, and finding that Scott had already retired from the field, 
made over the chief command to General Ripley. The two 
remaining brigades had suffered less, but their losses had been severe, 
and most of the regiments were much shaken. The new commander, 
with the entire approval of his chief, determined to retire beyond the 
Chippawa. 6 With this intention, all the guns that could be horsed 
were withdrawn, and some of the wounded removed. 

While Ripley was preparing to retreat, Drummond was resolutely 

1. Drumrnond; 2. E. L.Alleu; 3. J. L. Thomson ; 4. Lossing ; 5. Drummond to 
Prevost Aug. 8; 0. Brown to Armstrong Aug. ; 7. Ripley, Major Hindman's Evidence. 



3° 

reforming his shattered battalions for a final and supreme effort to 
retrieve the fortunes of the fight. Bleeding profusely from a wound 
in the neck which narrowly missed being fatal, he paid so little 
attention to it that he did not even dismount to have it dressed. 
Twenty minutes later his horse was shot dead beneath him. 1 Colonel 
Pearson, Lieut.-Col. Robinson, and many officers of inferior rank had 
been disabled. Nearly one-third of the rank and file had already 
been numbered with the dead, or were suffering from wounds. With 
indomitable resolution, the scattered detachments were rallied and 
the line reformed for another attack. Finally, when it was almost 
midnight, the thinned and wearied ranks were again closed and urged 
up the hillside. Headed by the light company of the 41st, led by 
Captain Glew, they pressed steadily up the slope, and at length stood 
triumphantly upon the summit.- The two 24-pounaers they had lost 
were recovered, but the 6-pounder had been already removed. An 
American field-piece of the same calibre was, however, taken, the 
whole of the detachment serving it with but two exceptions having 
fallen in its defence. 3 Several tumbrils and horses were also captured 
with a number of unwounded prisoners, while the ridge was profusely- 
strewn wiih the bodies of those seriously injured. Desultory firing 
continued in various quarters of the field for a few minutes longer, 
under cover of which General Ripley withdrew from the field all of 
his troops that still held together. 

Almost all American writers, following the cue furnished by 
General Brown's official letter, convey the impression that their forces 
retired voluntarily, and were not expelled from the position they had 
won, and none of tnem admit the loss of any artillery. The 
statements on these points contained in Sir Gordon Drummond's 
official letter are, however, fully substantiated by affidavits published 
in General Ripley's pamphlet already referred to, as well as by 
several letters from officers and men in the American army, which 
appeared in different contemporary newspapers. Major Hindman, 
commandant of their artillery, testified, for instance, that " General 
Brown said to him : — ' Collect your artillery as well as you can, and 
retire immediately ; we will all march to camp together.' He then 
remarked that nearly all his officers had been killed or wounded, and 
that he himself was wounded, and he thought it best to retire. I 
found the enemy in possession of the guns and wagons. Some of the 
horses and men were captured. I then left the field. Lieut. 
Fontaine informed me that the enemy charged his party at the guns, 
and made them all prisoners but that he dashed through their ranks 
and escaped. "4 

Equally conclusive is the evidence respecting the demoralized 
condition of the American army, derived from the same sources. 
We are informed that but two platoons of Scott's brigade could be 

1. JumeH ; 2. Gourlay ; .). E.L. Allen ; 4. Hipley, Vindication. 



3 1 

collected under Leavenworth, and several officers affirmed that not 
more than 500 men in all returned to camp in a body, the remainder 
having dispersed. 1 

The battlefield remained in the undisturbed possession of the 
British during the remainder of the night, but they were in no 
condition to pursue their disorganized enemies. Pearson's brigade 
had marched fourteen miles, and had been deprived of sleep the 
night before ; Morrison's detachment had accomplished the same 
distance, and the remainder not less than twenty-one miles in the 
heat of a July day. Almost one-third of their entire number had 
been killed or wounded, or were missing. The survivors were 
utterly exhausted, and threw themselves down to rest among the dead 
and dying upon the bloodstained hill they had finally reconquered. 

Thus ended the most stubbornly-contested and sanguinary 
engagement ever fought in the Province of Ontario, after having 
continued five hours and twenty-three minutes. 2 By American 
writers, it is frequently styled the battle of Bridgewater or Niagara 
Falls ; in British official records, it is known by the name of 
Niagara, and, in commemoration of the fact, the Royal Scots, 8th, 
41st, and 89th bear that word emblazoned on their colors, but among 
Canadians it usually receives the more homely appellation of Lundy's 
Lane. a 

The loss on both sides was great in proportion to the number of 
combatants engaged, and according to the official reports, nearly 
equal. The British return showed an aggregate of five officers and 
seventy-six men killed, thirty officers and 532 men wounded, fourteen 
officers and 219 men missing and prisoners; that of their opponents, 
eleven officers and 160 men killed, three generals (Brown, Scott, and 
Porter), fifty other officers and 520 men wounded, eight officers and 
109 men missing. But there are several cogent reasons for suspecting 
the truthfulness of the latter return. James asserts that 210 of their 
dead were counted on the field by British fatigue parties, and that indi- 
cations of a number of new-made graves were afterwards discovered 
near their camp. Drummond stated in his official letter that several 
hundred prisoners had fallen into his hands, and it would be indeed 
remarkable that a force in the admitted state of disorganization to 
which the American army was reduced, should have lost no more 
than the number stated in missing, especially when a considerable 
proportion of that force consisted of militia acknowledged to be 
unusually prone to desert and disperse in the event of a reverse, 
while their opponents, who held the field, lost more than double that 
number. 

1. Ripley, Vindication ; 2. Letter dated Fort Erie, July 28, in Alexandria Herald; 
3. On St. George's day, April 23rd, 1822, colors were presented by Sir Peregrine Mait- 
land, Lieut. -Governor of Upper Canada, to the York Militia as representatives of the 
Incorporated Militia.in recognition of their . orvices during the war, inscribed with the 
word "Niagara," by direction of King George IV. 



An officer writing from Buffalo two days after the battle, to his 
father, a Senator in Congress, stated that their first brigade (Scott's) 
was almost annihilated, yet the official return only admits a loss of 
a little more than five hundred men, or about one-third of its 
effective force. 1 Major Foster testified that but fifteen or twenty of 
the nth escaped unhurt.'- Major Hindman relates that of Tappan's 
Company of the 23rd U. S. I., numbering forty-five rank and file 
when it went into action, only nine answered to their names at roll- 
call next morning, and estimated that not more than 1,500 men of 
the entire division could then be mustered. 3 I have already referred 
to the loss of Towson's artillery. At one of Captain Ritchie's guns, 
every man is said to have been disabled, at another all but two, and 
yet the entire loss of the whole of the artillery was returned at 
forty six of all ranks. 4 Detachments of the 2nd Rifles, and 17th and 
19th Infantry, are known to have been engaged, one officer belonging 
to the former and two of the latter corps, were certainly wcunded, but 
no statement whatever of their loss is to be found in the official 
report, finally, Major Herkimer and thirteen other officers of the 
volunteer brigade, in an open letter published in several newspapers, 
directly accused General Brown of falsifying the returns and of 
understating the loss oi their regiments. 

Mr. Hildreth states that the American Army was reduced by their 
losses to sixteen hundred effective men. If this were true it would 
indicate a loss from casualties and desertion, of more than two 
thousand. 5 A very correct and circumstantial account of the action 
by an eye-witness, published in Poulsorfs American, estimated their 
loss in killed and wounded at twelve hundred. Another letter dated 
at Fort Erie, August 1st, remarks: "Many of our men secreted 
themselves in the woods, and were not collected till within a few 
days." As they were not vigorously pursued, it is probable that many 
of these stragglers rejoined their regiments. 

On the part ot the British, the battalions which bore the brunt ot 
the action, were the Royal Scots and the Soth, and their losses were 
correspondingly severe. Of about 500 men of the former regiment, 
who went into action, 172 were reported killed, wounded, or missing, 
while the 89th lust not less than 254 out of an aggregate of 400 of 
all ranks. Of the provincial corps, the Incorporated Militia suffered 
most, losing 142 officers and men, of whom not less than ninety-two 
were missing, out of about 300 engaged ; the Glengary Light Infantry 
lost fifty-seven, the 104th flank companies, six, the Lincoln Militia, 
thirteen, the Second York, nine, the Provincial Dragoons, three. 
Many of the wounded were but slightly injured by buckshot, and 
were soon able to do duty again, and a number of the missing rejoined 
their regiments in a few days. G 

1. Liout. J. B. Varuum 2. Ripley ; 3. K. L. Allen; 4. HiBt. TJ. S; 5. Official return 
(Cuu.Aich.;; c. ('niiu"u Hiet. records KriOsh Army. 



33 

Next morning, General Ripley again crossed the Chippawa with 
as large a force as he could muster, with the intention, as he stated, 
of burying the dead and recovering the wounded, whom he had left 
behind. But finding the field occupied in force by his antagonist, he 
immediately retired, destroying the bridge behind him, and prepared 
for an instant retreat. The wounded and prisoners were sent across 
the Niagara, a quantity of camp equipage and other stores was 
destroyed or thrown into the river, Bridgewater Mills and Clark's 
Warehouse at Chippawa, were burned, and a retrograde movement was 
effected with such celerity that the entire force arrived at Fort Erie 
before daybreak on the 27th. 

As soon as Ripley's intention to retreat became apparent, the 
British light troops were sent in pursuit, and succeeded in making a 
few prisoners, but feeling himself too weak in numbers to attempt 
the investment of their fortified camp at Fort Erie, Sir Gordon 
Drummond encamped with the bulk of his force near Lundy's Lane 
until the arrival of reinforcements enabled him to prosecute his 
advantage further. 




35 

APPENDIX NO. I 



OFFICIAL RETURN OF THE LOSS OF BRITISH TROOPS IN ACTION OF 
JULY 25TH, 1814. 

Staff — i killed, 5 wounded, 1 missing. 

19th Dragoons — 2 rank and file wounded, 1 rank and file 
missing. 

Provincial Light Dragoons — 2 rank and file wounded, 1 captain 
missing. 

Royal Engineers — 1 subaltern missing. 

Royal Artillery — 4 rank and file killed ; 1 captain, 12 rank and 
file wounded, 7 privates missing. 

Royal Marine Artillery — 3 rank and file wounded, 2 rank and 
file missing. 

1 st Royal Scots — 1 subaltern, 15 privates killed; 3 officers, 112 
N. C. O. and privates wounded ; 2 officers. 39 N. C. O. and men 
missing, 

8th Kings— 12 N. C. O. and men killed ; 3 officers, 57 N. C. O 
and men wounded ; 1 officer, 12 N. C. O. and men missing. 

41st— 3 privates killed, 34 N. C. O. and men wounded. 

89th— 2 officers, 27 N. C. O. and men killed; 11 officers, 177 
N. C. O. and men wounded ; 37 N. C. O. and men missing. 

I03n }_6 privates killed; 1 officer, 46 N. C. O. and men 
wounded ; 3 officers, 4 N. C. O. and men missing. 

104th — 1 private killed; 5 privates missing. 

Glengary Light Infantry — 4 privates killed ; 1 officer, 30 N. C. 
O. and men wounded ; 1 officer, 21 N. C. O. and men missing. 

Incorporated Militia— 1 officer, 6 men killed ; 4 officers, 39 N. 
C. O. and men wounded ; 75 N. C. O. and men missing ; 3 officers, 
14 men prisoners. 

1st Lincoln Militia — 1 private killed. 

2nd Lincoln Militia— 1 private wounded. 

4th Lincoln Militia— 2 officers, 3 men wounded ; 2 officers 
missing. 

5th Lincoln Militia— 1 officer, 3 men wounded. 

2nd York — 3 officers, 6 men wounded. 

OFFICIAL RETURN OF LOSS OF UNITED STATES TROOPS. 

General Staff — 2 wounded. 

Light Dragoons— 1 corporal killed, 2 privates wounded. 
Artillery— 1 officer, 9 N. C. O. and men killed; 3 officers, 32 
N. C. O. and men wounded ; 1 private missing. 



1ST BRIGAD] . 

Staff — 3 officers wounded. 

9th Infantry — 3 officers, 13 N. C. O. and men killed ; 8 officers, 
81 N. C. O. and men wounded ; 1 officer, 14 N. C. O. and men 
missing. 

nth Infantry— 1 officer, 27 N. C. O. and men killed ; 7 officers, 
95 N. C. O. and men wounded ; 1 officer, 2 privates missing. 

22nd Infantry — 36 N. C. O. and men killed ; 7 officers, 83 N. 
C. O. and men wounded : 3 officers, 14 N. C. O. and men missing. 

25th Infantry — 2 officers, 26 men killed ; 4 officers, 62 N. C. O- 
and men wounded ; 15 N. C. O. and men missing. 

2ND BRIGADE. 

i st Infantry — 1 1 men killed ; 2 officers, 18 men wounded ; 2 N. 
C. O. and men missing. 

21st Infantry — 1 officer, 14 N. C. O. and privates killed; 6 
officers, 64 N. C. O. and men wounded ; 19 ptivates missing. 

23rd Infantry — 1 officer, 9 N. C. O. and men killed ; 7 officers, 
.45 N. C O. and men wounded ; 27 N. C. O. and men missing. 

porter's brigade. 

Staff — 1 officer wounded, 1 officer missing. 

Canadian Volunteers— 1 private killed, 2 privates wounded, 8 
privates missing. 

Pennsylvania Volunteers — 1 officer, 10 N. C. O. and men killed ; 
3 officers, 21 men wounded; 1 officer missing. 

New York Volunteers — 1 officer, 3 N. C. O. and men killed ; 2 
officers, 12 N. C. O. and men wounded ; 1 officer missing. 



~^i 



37 



APPENDIX NO. 2. 



RRITISH OFFICERS KILLED. 

Captain Spooner, 89th. 

Lieut. Moorsom, 104th, D. A. A G. 

Lieut. Hemphill, 1st Royal Scots. 

Lieut. Lathom, 89th.' 

Ensign Campbell, Incorporated Militia. 

WOUNDED. 

Lieut.-Gen. Drummond ; Major-Gen. Riall ; Lieut. -Cols. 
Morrison and Pearson ; Capts. McLauchlan and Barenton ; Lieuts. 
LeBreton, Haswell, Fraser, Noel, Sandeman, Steel, Pierce, Taylor, 
Lloyd, Miles, Redmond, Hooper, Langhorne, and Kerr, of the 
regulars. 

Lieut.-Col Robinson ; Majors Hatt and Simmons ; Capts. 
Fraser, Washburn, McDonald, H. Nelles, and Ruckman ; Lieuts. 
Dougall, Ruttan, Hamilton, Thompson, Orrfield and Smith ; Ensigns 
McDonald and Kennedy, of the militia. 

AMERICAN OFFICERS KILLED.-, 

Major McFarland, Capts. Goodrich, Hooper, Hull, Kinney, 
Ritchie, and Spencer; Lieuts. Armstrong, Bigelow, Burghardt, 
Davidson, Kehr, Poe, Sturgis, and Turner ; Ensign Hunter. 

WOUNDED. 

Major-General Brown ; Brig-Generals Porter and Scott ; Col. 
Brady; Lieut.-Cols. Dobbins, Jesup, Leavenworth, and McNeil; 
Major Wood ; Capts. Biddle, Bissel, Bliss, Burbank, Foster, Foulk, 
McMillan, Odell, Pentland, Smith and Worth ; Lieuts. Abeel, Beans, 
Bedford, Blake, Brown, Camp, Campbell, Cilley, Cooper, Culbertson, 
Cushman, Dick, Dieterich, Ferguson, Fisher, Fisk, Fowle, Gifford, 
Haile, Ingersoll, Ucobs, Lamb, McChain, Maclay, O'Fling, Schmurk, 
Shaylor, Stephenson, Tappan. Thompson, Vasquez, Webster and 
Whiting ; Ensigns Jacobs, Jones, and Thomas. 

1. Gardner Diet. U. S. Army. 



39 



LUNDY'S LANE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 



OFFICERS FOR 1888-9. 



President, - - Rev. Canon G. A. Bull, M. A. 

i st Vice-President, - John A. Orchard, Ex-Warden of Welland 
2nd " " .... George Henderson, Esq. 

Recording Secretary, - Jas. Wilson, Esq., Supt. Niagara Falls Park. 
Corresponding Secretary, - - Rev. Canon Houston, M. A. 
Treasurer, - Jas. McGlashan, Esq., Treas. of County of Welland. 



The Society, having been asked by Colonel Otter to submit to 
him some definite description of the Memorial proposed for Lundy's 
Lane Battle Ground, suggests the following : — 

(i.) That a space of at least 25 feet square be secured at or 
near the highest part of the hill and that suitable access thereto be 
made from the roadway. 

(2.) That a stone tower be erected of a total height of not less 
than eighty teet exclusive of the flag staff, and of a width or diameter 
at the base sufficient to afford a suitable room for the exhibit of relics 
or trophies of the battles fought in the neighborhood, the room to 
have an area of not less than 200 square feet. 

(3.) The material to be of Queenston Limestone, but other 
stone may be used in relief if compact and durable. 

Subscriptions should be addressed to James McGlashan, Esq., 
County Treasurer, Welland, Ont. 




OF THE 



LTJ3ST3D"Z"'S LAUEm. 



HISTORICAL 



miiv 

have been allowed to pass without the 
erection of some substantial and worthy 
memorial by the possessors of this terri- 
itoiy since that time. The Society how- 
ever has now good reason to expect that 
very shortly mere feelings will change into 
the reality of substantial forms of a loyal 
significance and good taste, in memory of 
Lundy's Lane Eattle of July 25, 1811, and 
the many brave dead of that day whose 
bodies were left in long trenches or scat- 
tered graves in the Military cemetery then 
begun- 

On the 12th July last, Col. Otter, under 
instructions from the Dominion Govern- 
ment, visited Lundy's Lane Cemetery in 
order to see its neglected condition, and to 
report what steps should be taken to re- 
store the graves and to erect a memuria of 
that severe Battle. Doubtless Col. Otter 
will report to the Minister of Militia in 
strong terms, the duty of respect being 
shown to the place where heroes are 
buried. 

The Society's roll of membership is 
small, in a local sense, but numbers by 
thousands if we reckon those who through- 
out these Provinces are united in sympathy 
with us and our efforts. Frequent meet- 
ings have been held in this village during 
the ]>ast 12 months ; much historic infor- 
mation has been gleaned, printed appeals 
to liritsh Americans, have been circulated 
■nd especially among the Volunteer For- 
ces of Ontario. Petitions also, very large- 
ly »igned. have been forwarded to the Do- 
minion and Ontario Legislatures, which 




, ^^ , ..*».. ...g,~* ^x-imc imperial 

Bank, "Welland, Out. , is County Treasurer, 
and will < ootinue to act as such for the 
Memrrial Fund. 

The Society, having been asked by Col. 
Otter to submit to him some definite des- 
cription of the Memorial proposed for Lun- 
dy's Lane Battle Ground, suggests the fol- 
lowing : — 

(1.) That a space of at least 25 feet 
square be secured at or near the highest 
part of the hill and that suitable access 
thereto lie made from the roadway. 

(2.) That a stone tower be erected of a 
' total height of not less than eighty feet ex- 
clusive of flag stiff, and of a width or di- 
ameter at. the base sufficient to afford a suit- 
able room for the exhibit of relics or 
trophies of the battles fought in the neigh- 
borhood, the room to have an area of not 
less than 200 square feet. 

(3.) The material to be of Queenston 
Limestone, but other stone may be used 
in relief if compact and durable. 

(4.) That Designs be advertised for anc' 
premiums offered— each design to be ac- 
companied by Specifications and estimate] 
cost. 

Anxiously awaiting the fulfilment of 09 
patriotic desiTes the foregoing report is re 
Bpectfully submitted 

GEORGE A. BULL, M. A. 
Piesident 

Stewart Houston, M. A 
Cor. Secretary. 
DBiMMoNnttLji, Ajt., Sept., 1 



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